5 underrated Mike Tyson fights

Mike Tyson in 2021 [Instagram: @miketyson].

Mike Tyson scaled the heights of boxing fame more than any other of his generation. At the peak of his career, the so-called 'Baddest Man on the Planet' was one of the most famous people globally. He remains a household name, as his highlight reels of peekaboo-style bobbing and weaving combined with explosive knockouts have cemented him in public memory as one of the most vicious boxers in history.

Mike Tyson retired with a record of 50-6-0 with 44 knockouts. Half of his losses came in his last four bouts, a pattern that began with his 2002 loss to Lennox Lewis.

'Iron Mike' Tyson retired in 2005 after consecutive losses to Danny Williams and Kevin McBride. In 1996 and 1997, the American lost back-to-back in his battles with Evander Holyfield. His only other loss was the infamous bout in 1990 when Buster Douglas knocked Tyson out in the 10th round.

His battles with Douglas, Holyfield and Trevor Berbick are well-known. However, the details behind most of his 50 fights are not quite as memorable. Here's a look at 5 of the most underrated fights of Tyson's career:

#5. Mike Tyson vs. Tony Tubbs

One of the boxers who earned respect from Mike Tyson was Tony Tubbs, a Cincinnati fighter on the American Olympic team in 1980.

Tony Tubbs turned professional in 1980. His record includes bouts against legendary boxers of the era, including Riddick Bowe, Jimmy Young, Jose Ribalta, Tim Witherspoon, and Mike Tyson. Tyson later said that Tubbs had the fastest hands of anyone he faced.

Tyson and Tubbs competed for the WBA, WBC, and IBF Titles in Tokyo, Japan, in 1988. The fight began slowly. Tyson attempted to find his way to Tubbs with a lunging jab and his trademark bob-and-weave movement. But Tyson found himself tangled up in a clinch when he managed to get inside. Before long, the taller Tubbs was caught with several sharp overhand rights, which nearly put the challenger down in the first.

The second round was close and vicious. Tyson and Tubbs traded shots, but the damage inflicted was uneven. With 20 seconds left in the round, 'Iron Mike' dropped Tubbs with a left hook, sending him stumbling to the ropes, where he collapsed.

OTD 1988 - Mike Tyson TKO 2 Tony Tubbs at Tokyo Dome. Retains Heavyweight Title. "If you thought whale hunting was outlawed in Japan, we just saw that Mike Tyson hadn't heard about it." -Larry Merchant https://t.co/hgAZ0uRGK4